In July 1995, VAALCO Energy was awarded the Etame Marine permit, which encompasses 3,074 square kilometers in the northern basin. Etame was discovered in January 1998 by the Etame-1 well, followed by appraisal drilling in January 1999 by the Etame-2 well, which was deemed non-commercial. The operator then decided to delay further drilling on ...

In July 1995, VAALCO Energy was awarded the Etame Marine permit, which encompasses 3,074 square kilometers in the northern basin. Etame was discovered in January 1998 by the Etame-1 well, followed by appraisal drilling in January 1999 by the Etame-2 well, which was deemed non-commercial. The operator then decided to delay further drilling on the field in order to reprocess seismic data. Two years later, Vaalco Energy horizontally drilled Etame-3 and Etame-4, which flowed at a rate of 7,600 bopd and 9,800 bopd, respectively.

With the successful testing, the consortium deemed the find commercial in 2010. In total, the field is estimated to hold 23 million barrels of proven and probable oil reserves.

Field Development

The field was developed by four subsea wells connected to the Petroleo Nautipa FPSO, which has a storage capacity of up to 1.1 MMbopd. With a dead weight of 138,580 tons, and an overall length of 873 feet (266 meters), the FPSO is equipped with a gas-fired deck boiler, and an eight-point spread mooring and heating coils inside the tank.

Arriving on location on August 28, 2002, the FPSO was anchored in a water depth of 250 feet (76 meters). Shortly after, Etame commenced production, reaching a rate of about 22,000 bopd.

Further Development

While development drilling was ongoing in the license, the consortium explored the greater area and discovered the Avouma, South Tchibala, and the Ebouri fields.

Avouma and South Tchibala

The Avouma and South Tchibala fields are located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southwest of the Etame field. Successfully drilled in July 2004, the fields were developed by two wells (one in each field), connecting to a fixed platform and the Petroleo Nautipa FPSO.

The Avouma field commenced production in 2007, averaging at a rate of 3,180 bopd.

Ebouri

Located about 7 miles (11 kilometers) to the northwest of the Etame field, the Ebouri field was discovered in January 2004. The discovery well encountered about 48 feet (15 meters) of net oil pay in the Gamba sandstone.

In August 2008, a fixed platform was installed, which was tied-back via pipeline to the FPSO. Two development wells were drilled from the platform -- the first well began production in January 2009, and the second well came online in April 2009. The field produces about 1,500 bopd.

Feb. 2015 - VAALCO Energy added the recently completed Etame 10-H development well to the production stream at the newly installed Etame Platform in the Etame Marine Permit offshore Gabon. Etame 10-H reached a measured depth of 10,314 feet and encountered almost 600 feet of high quality oil-bearing Gamba sands. The well is currently producing at a rate of 3,000 bopd. Transocean's Constellation II (400' ILC) drilled the well and is relocating within the block to the SEENT platform where it will continue development drilling with Southest Etame 2-H.

VAALCO Fights H2S while Testing Etame Development Well

Type: Development Activity

Dec. 2014 - VAALCO Energy completed the first development well to be drilled from the newly installed Etame platform. Well Etame 8-H was drilled by the Transocean Constellation II (400' ILC) and reached a depth of 10,485 feet. Over 440 feet of high quality oil-bearing reservoir was encountered in the Gamba formation. While on test, the well began producing H2S and had to be shut in. VAALCO and its partners are working to mitigate the H2S and produce the reserves. The Constellation II has relocated and is preparing to spud Etame 10-H that will target the Gamba sand in the 1V fault block to the south of the main Etame reservoir. The company reports that H2S has never been encountered in the 1V fault block.

BW Offshore Takes Complete Ownership of Petroleo Nautipa FPSO

Type: Operator Update

Jul. 2014 - BW Offshore recently signed a sale and purchase agreement with Yinson Holdings Berhad to take ownership of the Petroleo Nautipa FPSO. The vessel has been jointly owned and operated BW Offshore and Yinson since it has been operational at the Etame development offshore Gabon. Yinson sold its 50% stake for a consideration of $49.3 million plus $10 million for working capital in Tinworth Pte. Ltd. The FPSO is under contract to Vaalco Energy under a firm charter through 3Q 2020 with options to keep it on location for two additional years.

Ovoka Well Comes up Dry off Gabon

Type: Drilling Operations

Sep. 2013 - VAALCO announced the end of drilling operations at the Ovoka prospect in the Etame Marin Permit offshore Gabon. The well was drilled to evaluate the Gamba reservoir and deeper Lucina formations. Both targets were found to be water-wet and the reservoir properties in Lucina were of poor quality. The well was drilled by the Ben Rinnes (350’ ILC) to a depth of 9,087 feet.

VAALCO Updates Etame Marin Permit Ops

Type: Operator Update

Jun. 2013 - VAALCO Energy is engaged in a multi-well drilling and recompletion program at the Etame Marine Permit offshore Gabon. KCA Deutag's Ben Rinnes (350' ILC) drilled a series of appraisal wells with mixed results and will soon begin workover operations to install new electric submersible pumps in an Ebouri production well. Once complete, the rig will relocate to a location north of the Etame field and drill an exploration well on the Ovoka prospect to test the potential of an estimated 30 million barrels of recoverable oil. VAALCO and its partners are evaluating the availability of drilling rigs to drill additional exploration wells offshore Gabon once the current multi-well drilling program is completed.

VAALCO Updates Etame Marin Development Ops

Type: Operator Update

Apr. 2013 - VAALCO announced the successful completion of the EAVOM-3H development well on the Avouma field in the Etame Marin Permit off Gabon. Initially, the well flowed, unassisted, at a rate of 3,000 bopd. That rate was increased to 4,000 bopd once electric submersible pumps (ESP) were engaged. The well will be monitored in the coming weeks to determine the ideal rate of production. KCA Deutag's Ben Rinnes (350' ILC) drilled the well and is currently completing workover activities on the EAVOM-2H and ETBSM-1H wells. Once complete, the rig will mobilize to the Ebouri field where it will drill an exploration appraisal well to evaluate an untested fault block on the south west flank of the field. Additionally, the rig is expected to drill an exploration well on the Mu prospect just north of the Etame field. The objective of the well is to test the Gamba reservoir and the underlying Lucina formation.

VAALCO Updates Etame Marin Development Ops

Type: Operator Update

Apr. 2013 - VAALCO announced the successful completion of the EAVOM-3H development well on the Avouma field in the Etame Marin Permit off Gabon. Initially, the well flowed, unassisted, at a rate of 3,000 bopd. That rate was increased to 4,000 bopd once electric submersible pumps (ESP) were engaged. The well will be monitored in the coming weeks to determine the ideal rate of production. KCA Deutag's Ben Rinnes (350' ILC) drilled the well and is currently completing workover activities on the EAVOM-2H and ETBSM-1H wells. Once complete, the rig will mobilize to the Ebouri field where it will drill an exploration appraisal well to evaluate an untested fault block on the south west flank of the field. Additionally, the rig is expected to drill an exploration well on the Mu prospect just north of the Etame field. The objective of the well is to test the Gamba reservoir and the underlying Lucina formation.

VAALCO Appraising Southeast Etame Well

Type: Appraisal Operations

Jul. 2010 - The Southeast Etame No. 1 well reached a total depth of 9,045 feet (2,757 meters), encountering about 16 feet (5 meters) of Gamba sandstone, which logged oil full to the base. VAALCO completed a sidetrack of the well and a second sidetrack is underway to further delineate the prospect. Results from the first sidetrack are still being analyzed, and the second sidetrack should be completed by the end of July 2010. If the field is proven commercial, development will consist of tying Southeast Etame to an existing FPSO. Once drilling is completed, the Sapphire Driller jackup will move to the Etame field to drill a new horizontal development well, Etame 7H, in a known separate fault block on the field. Situated in a water depth of 250 feet (76 meters), the Etame field lies within the Etame Marine License in the northern section of the Congo Basin offshore southern Gabon. Serving as operator of the block is VAALCO Energy, holding a 28.07% interest; Addax holds 31.36%; Sasol Petroleum West Africa holds 27.75%; Sojitz Etame Limited holds 2.98%; PetroEnergy Resources Corporation holds 2.34%; and Tullow Oil Gabon holds the remaining 7.5%.

VAALCO Discovers Oil in Etame Development Area

Type: Appraisal Operations

Jun. 2010 - The Southeast Etame No. 1 (ETSEM-1) well reached a total depth of 9,045 feet (2,757 meters) and encountered about 16 feet (5 meters) of the Gamba sandstone section, which logged oil full to the base. The sandstone encountered in the well is the same reservoir that produces in the Etame, Avourna, South Tchibala and Ebouri fields. The ETSEM-1 well is in the boundaries of the Etame Development Area, 3 miles (5 kilometers) southeast of the Etame field offshore Gabon. VAALCO is sidetracking the well to confirm the oil accumulation and seek the oil/water contact in the Gamba sandstone section to determine if the discovery is commercial. Drilling of the sidetrack well should take about 22 days, and if necessary, an additional sidetrack well will be drilled to further delineate the prospect. If proven commercial, the company plans to develop and tie-back the field to existing infrastructure.

VAALCO Commences Gabon Drilling Program

Type: Development Activity

Mar. 2010 - The Sapphire Driller jackup is on location offshore Gabon at the Ebouri platform to drill four wells: Ebouri 4H, Ebouri 3H, SE Etame and Etame 7H. Drilled as a horizontal development well on the Ebouri field, the Ebouri 4H well is intended to establish additional production while testing a deeper horizon and potential developmental locations. The Ebouri 3H horizontal workover will replace two electrical submersible pumps and return the well to optimal production of 3,000 bopd. The jackup will then move 9 miles (14 kilometers) to drill an exploration well to evaluate the Gamba and the deeper Dentale sandstones. A horizontal development well will then be drilled on the Etame field with the goal of adding production of roughly 4,000 bopd. VAALCO Gabon Etame Inc. operates the Ebouri and Etame fields, holding a 28.07% interest.

VAALCO Completes Ebouri Dev't Well Offshore Africa

Type: Development Activity

Apr. 2009 - VAALCO provided an update on the second horizontal development well, EEBOM-3H, located in the Ebouri field offshore Gabon in the Etame Marin Block. Production commenced on April 8, 2009, and a new production record of 24,993 bopd was set two days later. Ebouri's field development consists of a well tied-back to a production platform, and then tied-back via pipeline to the Etame FPSO facility.

Two Successful Delineation Wells Extend Ebouri Field Offshore Gabon

Type: Appraisal Operations

Jan. 2009 - Addax has announced the successful appraisal and development of the Ebouri field in the Etame Marin license area offshore Gabon.

VAALCO Successfully Extends Ebouri Field with Development Drilling

Type: Development Activity

Dec. 2008 - VAALCO announced that it has drilled one pilot hole to the south of the original Ebouri discovery and a second pilot hole to the northeast of the original discovery. Both of these holes were successful delineations that have increased the acreage and reserves of the Ebouri field. The Adriatic VI is currently on location completing the development well horizontally on the same orientation as the second pilot hole. First oil production from this well is expected in January 2009.

Vaalco says Installation of Production Platform at Ebouri Complete

Type: Development Activity

Aug. 2008 - Vaalco announced that it has completed the installation of the production platform at its Ebouri field, offshore Gabon, West Africa. The platform has been tied back to the FPSO facilty that also serves Etame, Avouma and Tchibala fields.

VAALCO Installs Ebouri Platform, Looks to Drill in West Africa

Type: Development Activity

Aug. 2008 - VAALCO announced that it has completed the installation of the production platform at its Ebouri field in offshore Gabon, West Africa. The platform has been tied back via pipeline to the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility that also serves VAALCO's Etame and Avouma / Tchibala fields.

VAALCO Upgrades FPSO at Gabon, Announces Arrival of Ebouri Platform

Type: Development Activity

Jun. 2008 - VAALCO Energy, Inc. announced that production at its Etame and Avouma / Tchibala fields in offshore Gabon, West Africa, has successfully been restored following the transfer of equipment to upgrade the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading facility. As previously announced, the FPSO upgrade is intended to improve water processing capacity at the facility, enabling VAALCO to increase production by 10% to 25,000 barrels of oil per day by year-end.

Vaalco Energy Upgrades FPSO in West Africa

Type: Status Update

Jun. 2008 - Vaalco Energy, Inc. announced that it will shortly begin a planned upgrade to the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility serving its Etame and Avouma fields in offshore Gabon, West Africa. The upgrade is intended to improve the water processing capacity at the facility, which would enable VAALCO to increase production by 10% to 25,000 barrels of oil per day by year-end. In addition, modifications to the gas flare system will be undertaken, improving safety and reducing the likelihood of unplanned downtime.

VAALCO Energy Begins Avouma Production

Type: Production Start

Jan. 2007 - VAALCO Energy says that oil production has begun from the Avouma Field off the coast of Gabon in West Africa. The first of the two wells drilled to develop the field has been placed on a production test and is currently flowing at approximately 5,500 barrels oil per day. This well will be tested for seventy two hours, then shut in to gather pressure data, at which time the second well will be brought on stream for testing. Following completion of the second well test, both wells will be placed on production.

Avouma Production Platform Arrives in Gabon

Type: Status Update

Jul. 2006 - VAALCO Energy's production platform has arrived at its Avouma field off the coast of Gabon in West Africa, and a 10-mile-long pipeline linking the platform to a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading facility should be completed next week.

VAALCO Energy Stabilizes Production at Etame Field

Type: Status Update

Sep. 2005 - VAALCO announced that the Etame consortium has elected to stabilize the production of the Etame Field offshore Gabon at between 17,000 and 18,000 barrels of oil per day. The higher initial production levels experienced with the addition of the Etame 6H well resulted in pressure interference with nearby wells and some declines in their productivity. Rather than risk local pressure decline, and possible damage to the reservoir, the Etame ET-3H well will be shut in.

VAALCO Energy Completes Etame-6H Well

Type: Appraisal Operations

Aug. 2005 - VAALCO Energy has successfully completed the Etame-6H well and tied the well into the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel offshore southern Gabon. The well is producing at a rate of 6,100 BOPD on a one inch choke from the Gamba formation. The well was drilled horizontally through the upper portion of the Gamba sandstone for a distance of approximately 1500 feet and completed with a gravel-packed liner.

VAALCO Gets Approval for Avouma Field Development

Type: Development Activity

May. 2005 - VAALCO Energy has received approval from the Government of Gabon to proceed with the development of the Avouma field, which was discovered in July 2004. The EAVOM-1 well tested 6,600 barrels per day on a 40/64's inch choke from the Gamba sandstone. The Avouma field is adjacent to the previously discovered South Tchibala field found by Gulf Oil in 1978.

Prosafe Says Contract Extended for FPSO Petroleo Nautipa

Type: Status Update

Apr. 2005 - Tinworth Limited, a company owned and controlled 50% by Prosafe ASA and 50% by Ganger Rolf ASA / Bonheur ASA, has entered into an agreement with Vaalco Gabon (Etame) Inc., extending the contract for the employment of FPSO Petróleo Nautipa at the Etame field offshore Gabon until September 2012.

VAALCO Completes Preliminary Development Plans for Etame

Type: Development Activity

Dec. 2004 - VAALCO Energy has completed preliminary development plans for the Avouma and the Ebouri discoveries located in the Etame Marin Permit offshore Gabon, West Africa. The Company anticipates commencing development of the South Tchibala Field and Avouma discovery by completing a producing well in each field and setting a single platform. The platform will be tied back to the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) system currently operating at the Etame field.

VAALCO Energy Increases Production at Etame Field

Type: Status Update

Sep. 2004 - VAALCO Energy reports that the recently completed development well, ET-5H, in the Etame Field, offshore Gabon is now producing oil at the rate of 9,200 barrels per day.

VAALCO Completes Fourth Development Well Offshore Gabon

Type: Development Activity

Aug. 2004 - VAALCO Energy has successfully completed the ET-5H development well in the Etame Field, offshore Gabon. Oil was flowing to the Floating Production Storage and Offloading facility (FPSO) at the rate of 6,400 barrels per day on a 48/64" choke.

VAALCO Announces Avouma Test Results

Type: Status Update

Jul. 2004 - VAALCO Energy announced the results of flow testing of the Avouma exploration well. The EAVOM-1 well flowed at a stabilized rate of 6,600 barrels oil per day of 37 degree API crude on a 40/64's inch choke from twenty feet of perforations in the Gamba sandstone section. Flowing wellhead pressure was 746 psi. The rig is currently performing additional diagnostic work after which the plan is to temporarily abandon the well. The Avouma discovery is located offshore Gabon on the Etame permit approximately 10.5 miles from the Etame field, where VAALCO is currently producing 15,000 barrels oil per day.

Jan. 2004 - VAALCO Energy reports that the wildcat well Ebouri No. 1 ("EBO-1"), reached total depth offshore Gabon, and logged approximately 15 meters (48 feet) of net oil pay in 17 meters (55 feet) of gross Gamba sandstone section. The Ebouri well is being drilled on a prospect 11 kilometers (7 miles) away from the Etame field, which VAALCO produces at approximately 15,000 barrels oil per day.

VAALCO Energy Announces First Oil Sale from Etame Field

Type: Production Start

Nov. 2002 - VAALCO Energy, Inc. has completed the first sale of oil from the Etame Field, offshore Gabon, West Africa. During the weekend of November 9 and 10, Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited lifted approximately 693,000 barrels of 36 degree gravity oil onto the "M/V Venetia".

VAALCO Begins Production from Etame Field

Type: Production Start

Sep. 2002 - VAALCO Energy, Inc. has commenced oil production from the Etame Field offshore southern Gabon. The field is currently producing in excess of 14,500 barrels per day of 36 degree gravity, sweet crude oil.

SEENT Platform

Under Construction - 2013 to -

Etame Platform

Producing - Jan 2015 to -

Ovoka (Mu)

Non-Commercial - Sep 2013 to -

Exploratory Drilling - Jul 2013 to Sep 2013

Ovoka well being drilled by the Ben Rinnes.

Etame Platform

Under Construction - 2012 to Jan 2015

Ovoka (Mu)

Bright Spot - 2012 to Jul 2013

Southeast Etame

Under Development - 2012 to -

Discovery (Drilled) - Jun 2010 to 2012

Ebouri Production Platform

Producing - Apr 08, 2009 to -

In August 2008, VAALCO completed the installation of the production platform for this well, and the platform was tied back via pipeline to the FPSO facility. A development well will be drilled in November 2008 with first oil production expected in January 2009.

Avouma Fixed Platform

Producing - 2007 to -

The Avouma field commenced production in 2007, averaging at a rate of 3,180 bopd.

Avouma

Producing - Jan 2007 to -

Under Development - 2006 to Jan 2007

Exploratory Drilling - Jul 2004 to Jul 2004

EAVOM-1 was drilled and tested at a stabilized rate of 6,600BOPD.

Ebouri

Producing - Under Dev. - Apr 08, 2009 to -

Under Development - Oct 2006 to Apr 2009

Development consists of a 3-slot well platform tied back to the Etame FPSO.

Etame 2V well delineated the oil water contact for the original discovery.

Exploratory Drilling - 1998 to 1998

Etame-1 confirmed discovery in the Gamba sandstone.

North Tchibala

Under Development - 2013 to -

South Tchibala

Producing - 2007 to -

The Avouma field commenced production in 2007, averaging at a rate of 3,180 bopd.

North Tchibala

Discovery (Drilled) - 1975 to 2013

South Tchibala

Discovery (Drilled) - 1975 to 2007

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